After discussions and debates about the legalisation and regulation of online casinos in France, the government seems to have backtracked. Indeed, the draft law providing for the regularisation of this activity will ultimately not be included in the 2025 budget. As a reminder, in our previous article Why the legalisation of online casinos is imminent (2024), we explored the initial motivations for this market opening. This decision marks an important reversal and raises many questions about the future of the online gambling industry in France.
A step back for online casinos
According to Les Échos, the French government has finally decided to withdraw the amendment providing for the legalisation of online casinos from the 2025 budget proposal. This withdrawal is motivated by the pressure from certain bodies that believe the prevention and regulation measures are not yet sufficient to ensure a secure environment for players. The preservation of public health seems to have taken precedence over the economic arguments put forward by the proponents of legalisation.
The Parisien notes that the government does not wish to legislate in the immediate future, preferring to wait until additional guarantees have been provided, particularly regarding the prevention of addictive behaviours and the protection of vulnerable populations. For now, the amendment is therefore withdrawn, and no specific date has been put forward for a new attempt at regulation.
The reasons for this reversal
The government's reversal seems mainly motivated by concerns about public health and addiction prevention. Although the legalisation of online casinos was presented as an opportunity to generate significant tax revenues, critics pointed out the risks associated with a hasty market opening, without a sufficiently solid regulatory framework.
The decision to withdraw this amendment is also set against a backdrop where the government is trying to preserve its image with associations fighting against addictions and protecting consumers. The Finance Minister explained that further studies were necessary to assess the impact of legalisation on the population before progressing with this project.
What's next for industry players?
For players in the online gambling industry, this decision is a disappointment. Many hoped that legalisation would provide a clear legal framework for an activity that already exists, but in often murky and unregulated conditions. This withdrawal of the amendment leaves uncertainty hanging over the future of online casinos in France and postpones the prospect of official recognition of the sector.
Foreign platforms will therefore continue to attract French players, without the state being able to derive any tax benefits or implement extended protection measures. For players, this also means the absence of guarantees on the safety and transparency of the sites on which they play.
Is legalisation still possible?
Although the government has chosen to withdraw the amendment for now, this does not mean that the issue of legalising online casinos has been entirely abandoned. According to France Info, the government could come back once the conditions are deemed favourable, with a stronger framework to regulate the sector.
It is therefore possible that the legalisation of online casinos is simply postponed. In the meantime, the industry remains in anticipation, hoping that discussions will resume in the future, with sufficient guarantees to convince all stakeholders.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of the amendment providing for the legalisation of online casinos marks a halt for the sector in France. Concerns related to addiction prevention and player safety have taken precedence over economic arguments. However, the debate is not closed, and the issue of legalisation could well return to the table once the regulatory framework has been strengthened.
At 8Fortuna, we remain attentive to developments in this matter and will keep you informed of the next steps. For now, the situation remains in suspense, but the opportunities for the online gambling industry in France are not extinguished.
